Just little excerpts from the daily operations of Evans, Inc, a family-owned enterprise composed of Jeff (president) and Sarah (vice-president) in a small town in North Central Alabama. Our biggest job: renovating our 1924 bungalow.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

To keep or not to keep - that is the question

I’ve decided it's time to part with one of my vintage china sets. It was the inspiration for my first kitchen remodel in our last historic house. I came to the conclusion that we should go our separate ways after letting the china sit in the dishpack box the movers wrapped and stored it in for almost a year. I only just unpacked and cleaned it yesterday, reliving all the dinners and special events we had been through together. I have other china still in boxes, but it’s waiting for the new floor in the dining room before taking its place in the china cabinet.

But the black and white ironstone set really won’t have a place in the new home. I’m a rather thrifty sort, so I’m torn at the idea of getting rid of something pretty and useful just because I don’t have a good place for it. But on the other hand, I see the escalating problem that mindset causes. Particularly in the rural South, you encounter homes, yards, and outbuildings filled with things the homeowners don’t use but can’t or won’t part with.

Is it resourcefulness? Laziness? Frugality? Selfishness? I’m curious why we cling to material items that no longer serve a purpose in our lives. Now that my house is so much larger, I have to really think about the possessions I put and keep in it. Just because I have more room in which to accumulate and store belongings, should I? I’d love to hear how others deal with this balancing act of what to keep and what to pass on.

7 comments:

I've never been the type to keep things around, at least growing up. I used to grab a big black garbage bag and throw stuff out or get it ready for the consignment shop. At the same time I know it's hard to get rid of things that have memories/sentimental values. I think you just have to put a limit on what you can keep. I know consignment shops were really helpful with that as I'd get money back from the things I needed to part with. Don't know if you have one around you?

We only have clothing consignment stores in my area. I actually have no problem getting rid of sentimental items and I'm not into trinkets or knickknacks at all; Jeff is much more the "keeper" than I am.

It's more that I tend to hold onto (or purchase ;-) large items that I don't really need but feel are a good deal or have value. I'm a sucker for nice beds and sofas, in particular; maybe it's because I grew up sleeping on plain metal frames and sitting on a scratchy army green sofa from the 70's! At one point a few months ago, we had four sofas in the house (but one was listed on Craigslist and the other I had to finish upholstering before selling, so it's not as bad as it seems ;-)

I've always been a resourceful sentimental, myself. I find that if I just box it up, quickly find a new home for it, and then never look back...I rarely have any regret. The old "out of site, out of mind" cliche. I have thought back on a few items in sadness, but realized that they're now out of my hair.

Cezie, I'd be your full time furniture-finder and/or decorator if I lived closer! I've joked with Jeff that I need to start a used furniture store just so I'd have a reason to buy up all the great pieces I see. But then I'd also want a fabric store, an antique store, a shoe store,...

When it's something you truly can't part with or even secretly know you'll use again you'll automatically have NO DOUBT that you're going to keep it - the question becomes where to store it. If there is lingering doubt, your id is telling you you don't really need it, no matter how much you might want it. At least that's what happens to me. I give so much away that when Nate can't find something he jokes "hunny, I can't find my ___, did you throw it away?" I know it comes from my parents' packrat-like qualities.

Hmmm, I don't think I'm a good one to give advice on this because I tend to keep things because some day I might need this. Like glass jars that things come in. I keep telling myself I might need it to make jelly or something.

Sarah is anyone you know just moving into their first apartment? Or someone needing a nice dish set for NTB in your area? Just some ideas. There is a consignment shop in my area that takes everything. I haven't been there in awhile...uh oh...you gave me an idea!